Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.1/5)
Starting Price: From $2.99/month
Uptime Guarantee: 99.9%
Server Locations: United States, Netherlands, Singapore
Support: 24/7 live chat and ticket-based support
🚀 Performance & Speed
Hosting.com is renowned for its emphasis on speed, encapsulated in their slogan: “Our speed, your success.” The company offers Turbo plans equipped with LiteSpeed technology, promising up to 20 times faster page loading compared to standard plans. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for high-traffic websites and e-commerce platforms. Additionally, Hosting.com provides a 99.9% uptime guarantee, ensuring reliable website performance.
🛡️ Security Features
Security is a top priority for Hosting.com. Their shared hosting plans include:
- Free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates: Automatically activated for secure data transmission.
- Imunify360 DDoS protection: Defends against traffic floods designed to disrupt site operations.
- Dual-layer firewalls: Utilizing Config Server Firewall (CSF) and ModSecurity to guard against attacks.
- Patchman security tool: Scans for vulnerabilities and outdated software, applying patches and quarantining infected files.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification beyond just a password.
These features collectively contribute to a robust security framework, although it’s advisable to store backups externally as well.
💬 Customer Support
Hosting.com offers 24/7 live chat and ticket-based support. While their support team is generally knowledgeable, some users have reported extended wait times during peak hours. For instance, a reported wait time of 51 minutes for live chat assistance highlights areas for improvement in response times.
💰 Pricing & Plans
Hosting.com provides a range of hosting options to cater to various needs:
- Shared Hosting: Ideal for small to medium websites, starting at $2.99/month.
- Managed WordPress Hosting: Optimized for WordPress sites, starting at $11.99/month.
- VPS Hosting: For advanced users requiring more control, starting at $2.99/month.
- Dedicated Servers: For large-scale enterprises, starting at $129.00/month.
- Reseller Hosting: For those looking to sell hosting services, starting at $17.99/month.
It’s important to note that while initial pricing is competitive, renewal rates may be higher. Additionally, a 30-day unconditional money-back guarantee is offered, providing flexibility for users.
🌱 Eco-Friendly Initiatives
Since 2007, Hosting.com has been a carbon-neutral hosting provider, purchasing renewable energy credits to offset their carbon footprint. This commitment to environmental sustainability makes them an eco-friendly choice for those concerned about the environment.
⚠️ Considerations
- High Renewal Pricing: As with many hosting providers, renewal rates can be significantly higher than the initial promotional pricing.
- Limited Free Domain: A free domain is not included in the hosting plans, and purchasing one through Hosting.com can be relatively expensive.
- “Unlimited” Limitations: Hosting.com uses terms like “unlimited” and “unmetered,” which are subject to their acceptable use policy. Some users have reported issues with resource limitations despite these claims.
✅ Final Verdict
Hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting) stands out for its exceptional speed, robust security features, and commitment to environmental sustainability. While there are areas for improvement in customer support response times and transparency in pricing, the overall performance and features offered make it a strong contender in the web hosting industry. It’s particularly well-suited for developers and businesses seeking high-performance hosting solutions